Justin Smith to Represent 49ers in 2012 Pro Bowl

SAN FRANCISCO -- Current defensive end Justin Smith has been selected to represent the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 29. The former Mizzou football player will be one of the starting interior linemen for the NFC team along with Jay Ratliff of the Dallas Cowboys.

This will be the third time Smith has been selected after being picked for both the 2010 and 2011 Pro Bowl games. In 2010, Smith was the second alternate lineman for the NFC but called up after Minnesota's Kevin Williams withdrew due to an injury. Smith also played in the 2011 Pro Bowl after being selected as the reserve defensive tackle but as called up following Detroit's Ndamukong Suh suffered an injury.

The 2012 Pro Bowl will mark the first time that Smith has been selected as a starter for the NFC team. The 49ers lead the NFC with the most players selected for the game with eight.